THEGAYUK

Category: Front Page

  • This is who is on the new £50 note

    This is who is on the new £50 note

    It has been announced that scientist and code breaker, Alan Turning is the new face of the £50 note.

    The Bank of England have announced that Code Breaker and gay scientist, Alan Turing is to be the new face of the £50 note.

    Today, the Bank of England announced that WWII hero Alan Turing will be the face of the new £50 note at an event in Manchester’s Museum of Science and Industry.

    Former Manchester MP and gay rights campaigner John Leech led a nearly decade-long campaign to pardon Alan Turing, gaining immense public support from legendary physicists such as Stephen Hawking.

    During the campaign, Leech submitted several bills to Parliament describing Turing’s long-held conviction as “utterly disgusting and ultimately just embarrassing”.

    After his campaign proved successful, Leech turned to secure pardons for the 75,000+ other men and women convicted of the same outdated crime in what is now nicknamed the Alan Turing Law.

    Welcoming today’s news, Turing pardon architect John Leech said, “It is almost impossible to put into words the difference that Alan Turing made to society, but perhaps the most poignant example is that his work is estimated to have shortened the war by four years and saved up to 21 million lives.

    “And yet the way he was treated afterwards remains a national embarrassment and an example of society at its absolute worst.

    “I’m absolutely delighted that Turing will be the face of the new £50 note and I hope it will go some way to acknowledging his unprecedented contribution to society and science.

    “It is a fitting and welcome tribute to a true Manchester hero.

    “But more importantly I hope it will serve as a stark and rightfully painful reminder of what we lost in Turing, and what we risk when we allow that kind of hateful ideology to win.”

  • Acceptance of gay relationships declines in the UK

    Acceptance of gay relationships declines in the UK

    The UK’s acceptance of same-sex relationships has decreased slightly year on year, with experts suggesting that tolerance has “plateaued”.

    (C) BIGSTOCK

    According to new research by the British Social Attitudes survey (BSA) the acceptance of gay relationships amongst the population of the UK has stalled and even slightly declinced over previous findings.

    Previously, 68% of people thought that same-sex relationships were acceptable, however the latest findings have seen a slight decreased to 66 per cent, suggesting that 34% of people in the UK do not think that homosexual relationships are acceptable.

    A point of plateau

    (C) BIGSTOCK

    The BSA survey, which has been conducted since 1980, warned that the country has “reached a point of plateau” according to a spokesperson for the organisation.

    Some 66% of those polled in 2018 said same-sex relations were “not wrong at all”, down from 68% the previous year.

    The survey covers a wide variety of societial questions, covering many subjects. Of the nearly 3,000 people polled, 74% said sex before marriage were “not wrong at all”, down from 75%  over the previous years, revealing that perhaps the UK is becoming a little more conservative on issues of sexuality.

    Leading LGBT+ rights activist, Peter Tatchell, called the findings, “concerning”, saying that there had been no “significant increase in support recorded over the past few years”.

     

     

  • No police officer to face discipline over the investigation of the Stephen Port serial killings

    No police officer to face discipline over the investigation of the Stephen Port serial killings

    The Independent Office for Police Conduct has confirmed that none of the 17 police officers who were being investigated, working the Stephen Port serial killings will be disciplined.

    Stephen Port
    CREDIT: met police

    The IOPC has confirmed that none of the 17 officers it investigated over the Stephen Port murder investigation will be disciplined.

    In March 2017 the IOPC announced it had launched an investigation of 17 officers into the service’s response to the deaths of 4 men, Anthony Walgate, Gabriel Kovari, Daniel Whitworth, and Jack Taylor murdered by Stephen Port.

    Port was convicted at the Old Bailey in London in 2019 where the judge said that Port had carried out the murders to “satisfy his lust” for sex with men who were rendered unconscious.

    According to the Barking And Dagenham Post, an IOPC spokesman said, “While we agreed none of the officers involved in these investigations may have breached professional standards justifying disciplinary proceedings, we will be making a number of recommendations to the Metropolitan Police to address some of the systemic failings our investigation identified.

    “We have advised the families of Port’s victims and the officers involved that the performance of nine officers fell below the standard required. They will now be required to improve their performance.”

    None of the families of the victims have commented on the announcement.

  • Nearly 40 per cent of companies who have co-opted the Rainbow Flag are not supporting any LGBT+ organisations

    Nearly 40 per cent of companies who have co-opted the Rainbow Flag are not supporting any LGBT+ organisations

    Shocking new research shows that 36 per cent of corporations that are utilizing the rainbow flag for Pride month are not giving back to the LGBT+ community.

    filmbetrachterin / Pixabay

    Research conducted by marketing experts, Rebootonline.com have noticed that only 64 per cent of companies undertaking promotional activity surrounding Pride are giving back to the community – while the research shows that nearly 90 per cent of the LGBT+ community feel that all brands using Pride should donate to LGBT+ causes.

    Marketing experts Rebootonline.com noticed this spike in Pride campaigns by brands and decided to investigate their commitment to the LGBT+ cause, and how those in the community feel about the increase in ‘corporate Pride’. To do this they looked at 122 companies, of varying sizes, to see what LGBT+-related marketing they were doing, whether this was the first time they have done something for Price, and whether they were donating any proceeds to relevant charities.

    Rainbow Capitalism

    rihaij / Pixabay

    The marketing agency also took into account a survey of 250 LGBT+ respondents, answering questions on how they felt about ‘Rainbow Capitalism’.

    There has indeed been an increase in 2019 of brands taking part in Pride month. The results revealed that almost a third of the companies (29%) analysed had never done an LGBT-related marketing campaign before 2019.

    Furthermore, only 64% of those with a campaign for Pride this year donated to charitable LGBT+ causes. This has caused a stir in the LGBT+ community, with 87% of those questioned stating that ALL corporations should be donating proceeds to relevant charities.

    The survey also revealed that 9% of participants stated that they would go as far as purposefully NOT purchasing brand Pride tie-ins.

    This is perhaps a wise choice as, upon further investigation of each company’s CEI (Corporate Equality Index) score (when available), over 1 in 10 companies scored less than 80% for their “steps to ensure greater equity for LGBT+ workers and their families in the form of comprehensive policies, benefits and practices”, with the majority of these failing to provide “equivalency in same and different-sex domestic partner medical and soft benefits”  and showing a lack of “equal health coverage for transgender individuals without exclusion for medically necessary care.”

    Rainbow Bandwagon

    Rainbow laces
    CREDIT: TheGayUK

    Clothing brand H&M was given a meagre CEI score of 45% by HRC. Yet they have participated in “corporate pride” this year, with their ‘pride collection’- although they are donating 10% of their proceeds to “support the work of the United Nations’ Free & Equal campaign”- unlike 34% of other companies jumping on the rainbow bandwagon without giving back.

    Other findings from the survey conducted revealed that 84% felt that they felt “positively” about these branded Pride campaigns, with one stating “celebration of LGBTQ is great to raise awareness, especially to younger generations”.

    The LGBT+ community were unanimous in thinking that corporations should “do more throughout the year to help LGBT+ causes, rather than just for Pride month”, with 96% of respondents agreeing with this sentiment.

  • Boris Johnson: Kids need to be taught to reflect society

    Boris Johnson: Kids need to be taught to reflect society

    Speaking on LBC today, Boris Johnson said that pupils across the UK should be taught “about the world as it is”.

    Tory leader and Prime Minister hopeful, Boris Johnson fielded a call today, while on LBC with Nick Ferrari, from an organiser of Shetland LGBTQ, who asked the candidate whether children should be taught about LGBT+ relationships and acceptance in schools across the entire UK.

    The line of question comes after hundreds of mostly Muslim parents in Birmingham protested LGBT+ acceptance and relationship lessons being taught in schools through the No Outsiders‘ campaign.

    Answering the question, Mr Johnson said that he believed that, “People should be able to love whomever they chose” and said that the country was “all the greater” for that right.

    He told Nick Ferrari, “People should be able to love whomever they chose and that’s the way we live our lives in the UK. Our country is all the greater for it. I do think it’s important that kids are taught about the world as it is.

    He added that he believed that teachers and schools have “a responsibility to teach kids about the world as it is”.

    Hundreds of parents removed their children from the Parkfield Primary school in April in protest of the ‘No Outsiders’ lessons.

    When pushed further about whether the parents were right or wrong to take their children out of classes in schools in Birmingham, Mr Johnson continued, “I don’t think kids should unreasonably be taken out of school”

  • Homophobic knife attack in Liverpool – two men left with injuries

    Homophobic knife attack in Liverpool – two men left with injuries

    Police in Liverpool are appealing for information after a homophobic assault, which involved a knife, in Liverpool over the weekend.

    geralt / Pixabay

    Police in Liverpool are investigating after it was reported that at around 9.20pm, on Saturday, two men, both in their 30s were walking down Manningham Road in the direction of Priory Road, when they were approached by three male youths. The youths made homophobic insults towards them, before, it is alleged, one of them produced a knife and assaulted the men.

    One of the victims sustained injuries to his head and neck described as serious but non-life threatening while the second sustained a minor hand injury. They have both been taken to hospital for treatment and were left incredibly shaken by the incident.

    The offenders are described as between 12 and 15 years old, with one wearing a dark bubble coat and one riding a bike.

    Detectives are urging any witnesses to come forward.

    Detective Inspector Tara Denn said, “This was an appalling and unprovoked attack on two men simply making their way home and we are working tirelessly to locate those responsible.

    “Two men have been left with significant injuries tonight and the hate and violence that has been inflicted on them is simply unacceptable and won’t be tolerated on the streets of Merseyside.

    “I would ask anyone in Manningham Road or the surrounding areas this evening to please come forward with any information. You may have witnessed the incident or youths making off from the scene, or even have CCTV or dashcam footage, and I would urge you to please get in touch with police. Likewise, if you know who is responsible for this crime, please do the right thing and let us know.

    “There is absolutely no place for hate crime in society and we know how much of a massive impact it has on victims. I want to reach out to the LBGT community, who I know will be deeply saddened by this news and reassure you that we stand with you and if you report such incidents to the police, we will do our utmost to support and protect you and bring those responsible to justice.

    “We are passionate about maintaining the right of all our communities to be treated with fairness, dignity and respect and by working closely with our partners will continue to work to eradicate hate crime of all forms.

    “Victims can report directly to the police where experienced hate crime officers will treat them with sensitivity and compassion, or via third party reporting centres in fire stations, citizen advice bureaus and hospitals where the information will be passed on.”

    Anyone with information is asked to contact Merseyside Police social media desk via Twitter @MerPolCC or Facebook Merseyside PoliceCC. You can also call 101 quoting incident reference 19100328734 or contact the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously, on 0800 555 111 or via their online form at: https://crimestoppers-uk.org/give-information/give-information.

  • Bobby Norris’ petition against homophobia online surpasses 150000 signatures

    Bobby Norris’ petition against homophobia online surpasses 150000 signatures

    Bobby Norris’s petition calling on the government to recognise online homophobia as a specific crime has surged to over 150,000 signatures.

    Bobby Norris from The Only Way Is Essex
    From Lime Productions

    TOWIE star Bobby Norris’s petition asking the UK’s government to make online homophobia a specific offence reached over 150,000 signatures. As it stands the petition has reached 152,241 signatures.

    Because the petition reached over 100,000 signatures it will now be discussed in the houses of parliament on the 1st July 2019, which anyone will be able to watch on the official YouTube channel for Parliament.

    Working cross-Government to challenge inequality

    Responding to the petition a spokesperson for the Government wrote, “The Government recognises the harm that homophobic online messages can cause. We are working cross-Government to challenge inequality and make the UK’s online environment a safer place for everyone”.

    In his original petition, Bobby wrote, that he was “devastated” by homophobic abused levelled at the LGBT+ community and wanted it to be debated in parliament. He continued, “Just because I am on TV I don’t think that makes it acceptable to be sent homophobic messages/ comments on social media platforms.

    “Nobody should have to receive these comments.

    “I won’t go into detail as to the various names I have been called, but this should not be acceptable and can have an impact on people’s mental health and has certainly helped in making my anxiety and low self-esteem worse by receiving them”

     

     

  • LGBT+ teens told to “kill themselves” by homophobes after pride event in Stoke-On-Trent

    Cops in Stoke On Trent are investigating after teens who attended the pride event are attacked on the street.

    Officers from the Staffordshire police force are investigating a hate crime after a group of teenagers allegedly verbally abused and attacked another group of teens who were making their way home from Stoke On Trent Pride.

    One of the victims was also punched and kicked in the attack, according to the police report.

    Another victim claims that the attackers told them to “kill themselves” as well as using anti-gay slurs against the LGBT+ group.

    The entire incident was filmed and shows scenes of a horrific and vile attack on members on the young LGBT+ friends – all aged between 14 and 16 who live in the local area.

    The attackers can be heard using homophobic slurs against their victims.

    According to The Mirror, the teens were attacked after leaving the annual Stoke On Trent pride over the weekend and were taunted and attacked as they tried to get away in a taxi.

    A 14-year-old girl, who identifies as bisexual, told StokeonTrentLive, “We’d had a great time at Pride then all of a sudden this group appeared and started chasing after the taxi. They pulled open the door and start attacking them.

    “There were girls screaming at us. They told us to ‘go kill yourselves’ and said we should die. One of them shouted ‘faggots’. I’ve had a few things said to me before but nothing like this. It was mainly girls but there were some boys too. It was right outside the YMCA.”

    Anyone with information is asked to call 101 quoting incident number 911 of June 15.

    Alternatively, contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

  • This school in Cornwall is set to become the first in the UK to play host to a Pride

    This school in Cornwall is set to become the first in the UK to play host to a Pride

    In stark contrast to scenes elsewhere in the UK, one Cornwall School is set to play host to a Pride event this Friday.

     

    (C) GOOGLE MAPS

    Helston school in Cornwall will become the first school in the UK to host a pride event when the world famous Cornwall Pride tour makes a stop there on Friday morning.

     

    The Pride will be a stark contrast to scenes elsewhere in the UK, where some parents have been protesting the inclusion of LGBT+ acceptance and tolerance lessons.

    The Cornwall Pride tour will be stopping at 11 AM at Helston school and is described by Matthew Kenworthy-Gomes, the chairperson of Cornwall Pride as something “positive” in contrast to the protests and legal battles seen in Birmingham in recent months, “It really is a great positive news story” he added.

    He continued, “With the support of First Kernow (our regional bus service). We are taking two double-decker busses, packed full of amazing people representing different; charities, organizations, sponsors and partners. Each to support, represent and bring Pride to 18 towns in Cornwall over the two days! With the largest PRIDE FLAG in the UK!!”

    Where is the Cornwall Pride tour stopping off?

    On Friday, 21st June the tour will be stopping at

    Falmouth, Prince Charles Pier 9.50 AM

    Helston School, 11 AM

    Porthleven, The Green, 11.55 AM

    Penzance, Promenade, 12.45 PM

    St Ives Harbour Beach, 1.55 PM

    Hayle, Spar Shop, 2.55 PM

    Cambrone, Commerical Square, 3.30 PM

    Redruth, Fore Street, 4.15 PM

    Truro, Piazza, 5.05 PM

     

    On Saturday 22nd June

    Padstow Harbour, 10 AM

    Wadebridge, John Betjeman Centre, 11.05 AM

    Bodmin, Shire Hall, 11.05 AM

    Launceston, Castle, 12.55 PM

    Callington, Saltash Road Playing Field, 2.05 PM

    Saltash, Pier Old Ferry Roady, 2.50 PM

    Liskeard, Town Centre, 4 PM

    Lostwithiel, King George Field, 5.05 OM

    St Austell TBC

  • Gay man found dead, house sitting for a friend

    Gay man found dead, house sitting for a friend

    An Irish man was found dead in a luxury flat he was housesitting after inviting a man for a dating app hook up.

    Adrian Murphy, 43, was found dead in a flat in Battersea, London, which he had been house sitting. It is thought that he may have laid dead for up to three days before he was discovered, on the 4th of June.

    The man, from Kilkenny in Ireland, had apparently organised a hook up on a dating app and has the hallmarks of a similar attack on a 40-year-old man in east-London just days beforehand.

    The flat in which he was staying had been ransacked and property allegedly was stolen.

    It is thought that he may have been drugged, police are still awaiting upon a toxicology report from Mr Murphy’s autopsy.

    A post-mortem examination at St George’s Hospital on Wednesday, 6 June failed to determine a cause of death and detectives are now awaiting the result of further tests.

    Arrests made

    A Detective with the Metropolitan Police, Rob Pack confirmed that a 24-year-old man and a 17-year-old girl were arrested on the 12th June on suspicion of murder, rape and theft.

    A 24-year-old man [A] was arrested late on Tuesday, 12 June, on suspicion of murder, rape and theft. He has since been bailed to attend a police station at a later date.

    A 17-year-old girl [B] was arrested earlier on 12 June on suspicion of murder and theft. She has been released under investigation.

    Detective Pack said, “We have linked these two incidents through our suspects and our enquiries continue to establish the exact circumstances.

    “We know the victim in the Walthamstow incident met the male suspect through a social networking site and we are investigating whether there is a similar connection in Mr Murphy’s death.

    “Both incidents happened over a short period of time and thorough enquiries have led us to make these prompt arrests. However, there is a possibility other offences may have been committed before 30 May.

    “Has anything similar happened to you, or someone you know? A meeting arranged online that has led to intoxication, robbery and possibly sexual assault. Please have the confidence to approach my team so we can investigate what happened to you. You can also contact third party organisations such as the charity Galop. You will be taken seriously and treated with sensitivity.

    “I would also be keen to talk to anyone who saw anything suspicious on the afternoon of 4 June around Lombard Road, anything that looked out of place.”

    Enquiries have linked this incident to an earlier allegation of rape at an address in E17 on Thursday, 30 May at around 13:00hrs.

    READ ALSO: How to stay safe when meeting people from dating apps

    Echoes of Barking Murders

    Stephen Port
    CREDIT: met police

    Similarly to the Stephen Port murders, in which the serial killer drugged, raped and the murdered his victims, he found on gay daying apps, the 40-year-old victim who survived his ordeal, believes he was drugged by a man he had invited to his flat after meeting him on a social networking platform.

    He became unconscious and was found later that day by a friend who raised the alarm.

    The victim was taken to Whipps Cross Hospital and has since been discharged.

     

    Anyone who can help is asked to contact 101, quoting CAD 6467/4 June, Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or the charity Galop or via their Shoutline on 020 7704 2040.

  • YouTuber Daniel Howell comes out as gay

    YouTuber Daniel Howell comes out as gay

    The YouTuber Daniel Howell has come out for Pride month.

    In a video which he titled, “Basically I’m Gay” YouTuber, Daniel Howell, has come out to his 6.5 million followers. Speaking in the 45-minute video, Howell said, “We live in a heteronormative world… what this means is that most people are presumed to be straight so, if you’re not, at some point you have to come out.

    “So yep, I’m here, I’m queer and don’t worry, I’m still filled with existential fear.”

    The celeb, who has over 6 million subscribers on YouTuber and has had over 650 million views, apparently came out to his family via email a month earlier, he said, “I literally just sent them an email saying: ‘Hello gang. I’ve been meaning to talk to you all for a while, something quite important that should be disclosed at some point,

    “‘I thought I would around Christmas, then Mum’s birthday, then last Easter Sunday etc but every time I meant to, I either felt like I would ruin the mood on the day or I just felt awkward and didn’t want to.

    “‘So I decided to just email you all instead which is really inappropriate and just weird, but that somehow seems appropriate for me and at least I’ll just finally say it. Basically I’m gay,”

    His video has been watched almost 4 million times since it was uploaded!